June 26, 2016: In an era of globalisation one sneeze somewhere around the world is enough to induce cold and fever to the rest of the world. The Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom where people elected to leave the European Union has sent ripples of discomforting cold across the oceans. In a Ryder Cup season, the question on golfing minds is whether the move can impact the team from Europe.
First up, the Ryder Cup came into being in 1927, long before the germination of the European Union idea, which came about only midway through the last century. The European Tour has already confirmed that the team in Hazeltine will play with the EU flag emblazoned on their kit.
The Europe team has several British stars including its captain Darren Clarke and vice captains Ian Poulter and Paul Lawrie. Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Chris Wood and Justin Rose are also from the UK.
The UK has always had a strong presence on the European team for the Ryder Cup. Historically too, the evolution of the Ryder Cup started as a competition between USA and UK before it expanded to the larger continent later on.
“In terms of the flag flown to represent the European Ryder Cup team, we consider that the blue and gold flag of Europe represents the continent of Europe and, as a broad symbol of Europe as a whole, we therefore plan to continue to use it,” read a statement issued by the European Tour.
The one thing that could change though is the location of the European Tour’s headquarters in Wentworth. “Like all global companies whose main headquarters are in the UK, we are now in the process of assessing the implications for our business following the result of the referendum vote on June 23,” said the Tour about their Surrey offices.
“In terms of tournaments appearing on the European Tour international schedule, including those in the UK, we do not believe that the result will have any impact. The UK remains a geographical part of Europe, even though it will no longer be part of the political or economic structure of the European Union.”
“The criteria for being European in Ryder Cup terms is a geographical one, from countries who make up the continent of Europe, not a political or economic one (countries who make up the EU). Therefore the result of the UK referendum has no bearing in Ryder Cup qualification terms.”
But Team Europe can expect some needling from USA when they reach Hazeltine in September. Golfers are known for their dry wit and there will more than a fair share of ribbing that will happen around the course with the Americans trying to drive a wedge into their European opponents.